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Michigan State Football: Studs and duds from 2019 season

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Kendall Hinton #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons scores a touchdown in front of safety David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Kendall Hinton #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons scores a touchdown in front of safety David Dowell #6 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Duds

As you could take from the 7-6 overall record, there were plenty of dudes this season for Michigan State and it was hard to narrow it to just a few. Yes, coaching staff should be on here, but I’m trying to limit this to just on-field performance, not poor coaching.

Special teams

Matt Coghlin was off to a scorching start to his career at Michigan State and looked like one of the best kickers in the nation heading into 2019, but he missed 10 field goals and had a career-low 69 percent conversion rate despite hitting a career-best 22 field goals. On top of that, the return game continued to be underwhelming with Brandon Sowards returning punts and no kick returner standing out while Jake Hartbarger was probably the most consistent performer. It was an all-around disappointing special teams season.

Offensive line

There’s really nothing to say about this unit other than the fact that the line will almost undoubtedly be better in 2020 with young guys like Nick Samac, JD Duplain and Devontae Dobbs leading the way. There are some talented young pieces that could turn things around, but leaning heavily on under-productive veterans led this unit astray. It was the worst position group on the team by a decent margin.

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Defensive backfield

It was a rough season for the Spartans’ defensive backfield as it was supposed to be a strength coming into the year. Josiah Scott did have a solid season and he departed for the NFL shortly after the bowl game but David Dowell struggled more than expected and Xavier Henderson didn’t become that All-Big Ten player as a sophomore that we hoped for. He still has plenty of talent and potential, but the defensive backfield could use a major shakeup next season, especially at the cornerback spots. Julian Barnett, anyone?

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